Google has announced the results of its 2019 Year in Search, providing a unique insight into 2019’s major moments and top trends based on searches conducted in South Africa.
Nine of the 10 top trending search terms were for local people, news and events.
From the Rugby World Cup to load shedding, elections and James Small, South Africans use the platform to find out about the things that really matter to them.
Google processes more than 40 000 search queries every second. This translates to more than a billion searches per day.
The top two trending questions of the decade are a bit of shocking, though, with millions of wondering “How to make slime?” and “Why were cornflakes invented?”
The top trending questions for 2019 in SA are:
- Why were cornflakes invented?
- What time is the rugby world cup final?
- How many votes for a seat in parliament?
- How did Cameron Boyce die?
- How long is a rugby match?
- What is Bosasa?
- What time do voting stations open?
- Who won the election in South Africa?
- What is media?
- What is teenage pregnancy?
The Top 10 trending searches for 2019 were for load shedding, election results, Thanos, IEC, Fiona Viotti, Black Friday Specials, Gavin Watson, Mark Batchelor, Teacher’s Day, and Hoërskoel Driehoek.
The Top 5 trending searches of the decade are: Load shedding, Uzalo, Meghan Markle, Zodwa Wabantu, Baby Shark and Cardi B.
The Top trending South African personalities are: Neyi Zimu, James Small, Xolani Gwala, Chester Williams, Andile Gumbe, Siya Kolisi, David Kekana, Faf de Klerk, Peggy Sue Khumalo and Robert Marawa.
The top trending sports search was for the Rugby World Cup, while the top trending movie was Avengers Endgame.
The top trending music personalities include Johnny Clegg, Nipsey Hussle, Mampintsha, Ndlovu Youth Choir and Babes Wodumo.